35+ Christmas Advent Traditions

The Christmas Advent season starts the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, where you look forward to celebrating Jesus’ first coming as a baby in a manager.  It is the time of year that many families come together to remember the past, pass down stories of faith, values, and create new memories together. Here are some Christmas traditions you can incorporate with your family this year: 

 

The Christmas Story

1.    Read passages from the scripture that tell of the nativity story: Luke 2:1-21, Mathew 1:18-2:12. Or, have everyone in the family choose a passage from scripture that means a lot to them, and then take turns reading it and sharing why it is so important to us. 

2.    Have an advent calendar with bible verses/pictures/hidden treats behind the door of each day counting down to Christmas day. 

3.    Wrap 12 Christmas booksand open one each day to read with your children.

4.    Have kids follow a little shepherd on his quest to find Jesus through, “Shepherd’s Treasure.”

5.    Read, “Twas the Evening of Christmas,” poem that share the story of Jesus birth.

6.    Have on display the nativity scene in a reachable spot so that the kids can play with it through December. Place baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas day, and light a candle next to him. As an alternative, you can mold a nativity scene from clay dough, or visit a local live nativity scene.

7.    Dress up as “wise men” or “Shepard’s” looking for the nativity by using thrifted clothes. Or, act out the Christmas story as a family using a nativity script, or take turns telling the story piece by piece. 

8.    Prepare and re-enact the “Journey to Bethlehem meal,” turning on Jewish folk music and sharing a simple meal that Mary and Joseph might have shared. 

9.    Watch Christmas-themed, family oriented movies: The Nativity, Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Chasing the Star, Chronicles of Narnia, The Passion of the Christ, Silent Night, Ben-Hur, The Note, The Star of Bethlehem, The heart of Christmas etc. 

10. Complete a Christmas themed puzzle together

Music

11. Turn on and listen to Christmas-themed music at home. 

12. Visit someone, or go door-to-door “wassailing”, aka singing classic Christmas carols that remind us of the love and hope given to the world by God through Jesus. 

13. Listen to Handel’s Messiah performed by London’s philharmonic choir, or watch it live at a local event.

14. Read the, “Festival of nine lessons and carols,” and sing together a lesson a day. Or, you can listen to the entire service performed by Chapel of king’s College, Cambridge on BBC on Christmas Eve. 

15. Watch a Christmas Play/Concert.

 

Lights

16. Drive around town and look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music and enjoying your favorite ice-cream. And, perhaps put a thank you card in mailboxes of homes that display the nativity in their yard.

17. Take the time to pause, stargaze, and sense the darkness outside at night, thanking God for sending the light.  Turn on the Christmas lights and remember that the Light we celebrate at Christmas also shines through our lives as we live for Jesus. 

18. Attend your local church’s Christmas Eve candlelight servicewhere the light from the candle represents the light of Christ that guides believers from the darkness. 

 

Food

19. Bake and decorate sugar cookies, or other festive cookies/candies that you put in a jar, and can only eat one each day leading up to Christmas day. Or, perhaps put in a bag and share some with friends and family. 

20. Decorate a gingerbread house/manger as a family, or other holiday craft. 

21. Make and drink homemade hot chocolate, apple cider, or eggnog.

22. Burn a large yule log in the fireplace on Christmas Eve, or bake a yule log chocolate cake for Christmas day. 

23. Have an immediate family Christmas dinner and take turns sharing your favorite part of the Christmas story. Or, organize a holiday party using Christmas themed table clothes, silverware, and/or centerpieces that remind us of God’s gift to humanity. As well as, perhaps host a game night, or cookie decorating party.

24. Organize a birthday party for Jesus, making him a birthday cake and sing Happy birthday. You can also write a Christmas letter to Jesus telling him what your gift will be for him this year. 

 

Decorations

25. Decorate an evergreen Christmas tree representing the cross and everlasting life of Christ. Add a star on top to symbolize the star the three wise men saw, or put an angel on top to symbolize the angel who told the shepherds about Jesus’ birth. You can also hang, “The 12 names of Christ” ornaments that help tell about who Christ is. As well as, sleep under the tree.

26. Decorate a bare Jesse tree branch with ornaments/symbols that represent people from Jesus’ family. On Christmas day, you add an ornament representing baby Jesus, and you can also add a picture of your family to represent being part of Jesus’ family. You can also read a corresponding devotion every day that you add a new ornament to the tree. 

27. Decorate the house with holly whose leaves represent the thorns in Jesus’ crown, and red berry represent his blood.  Or, bells that represent the ringing of the good news.

28. Have on display an advent evergreen wreath with four candles, one to be lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas day.

29. Implement the 12 days of Christmas (Gifts of the Savior) secret service by doorbell-ditching a simple gift correlating with a gift note/tag that focuses on a name of Christ.  

 

Gifts

30. You can make a gift for a local charity, friend, family, orphan, or widow in need. Or, you can fill a shoebox with toys and gifts for children around the world through Operation Christmas Child and distributed through Samaritans purse. Gift-giving represents the gifts the three wise men gave Jesus upon his birth, and also symbolic of the ultimate gift of God-the gift of his son.

31. Donate to a charity (i.e. Compassion International, World Vision) to help someone in need. Volunteer at a local charity, or do another good deed as a family.

32. Send Christmas Cardsor write a letter to friends and family. Or, perhaps you can create a family holiday greeting video together. 

33. Create a  “serving others jar” that is filled with ideas of how you can serve your family, friends, neighbors, or community this season. Choose one out of the jar each day leading up to Christmas. 

34. Get matching pajamas for everyone in the family on Christmas Eve, and have a photo-op together. 

35. Play Christmas bingo by choosing 24 things you would like to do during the Christmas season and write them in a blank bingo card. See how many bingo’s you can get by Christmas Day. 

 

 

Important: Remember, if you are only able to complete one or two of these, that is OK. Ultimately, the time you spend with the people you value most, even in the quietest of moments and remembering, Jesus, is one of the most important and meaningful parts of the Christmas Season you can do. Merry Christmas!

 

 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

 

 

Photo source: scripturecatholic.com

#christianchristmastraditions #christmasadvent #christmas #spiritualhealht #socialhealth #relationshiphealth #communityintegration #Healthystrongbeautiful #HSBvibes #HSB #thrive #optimism #lifeperspective #awareness #healthpromotion #diseaseprevention #wholistichealth #healthyliving #nurseselfcare #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #spiritualhealth #Healthandfitness #healthcoach #wellnesscoach #lifestylecoach #healthandwellness #selfcare #takingcareofyourself

Pregnancy: Hospital Bag essentials & Postpartum recovery Kit

Packing a hospital bag helps ensure you have the essentials needed to help make your labor, delivery, and recovery more comfortable and relaxed. You can either place it all in a carry-on suitcase with wheels, or use large tote bags. Your bags should be packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice either in the car, or near the door, at least 1 month to 2 weeks before your due date should your baby come earlier than expected. 

Remember, you are only staying for a few days (~2-4 days), so you won’t need a lot. Yet, here are some essentials to consider as you prepare for one of the most memorable days of your life. 

For Mom

·      Paperwork: Insurance card, driver’s license, copy of pre-registration paperwork, birth plan, affirmation cards, books etc.

·      Make-up and Toiletries: Brush, hair ties, regular/dry shampoo, razor, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, chap stick, lotion, waterproof mascara, nail clippers, straightener/curling iron.

·      Waterproof flip flops (for showers) and Slippers (for walking around)

·      Stretchy breastfeeding friendly delivery gown and robe (one you don’t mind getting dirty, and another to change into)

·      Soft clipable nursing sports bra (with no wire, cotton)

·      Other clothes: loose shirt and sweatpants, comfy/compression socks, sweater

·      Going home outfit for Mom (i.e. long maternity dress)

 

For Dad

·      Phone/camera stand

·      Long cellphone charger

·      Portable Bluetooth speaker that is charged (With pre-chosen instrumental musical playlist for labor and delivery)

·      Entertainment: Ipad, books, wireless headphones (Things to help pass time, if labor takes a long time) 

·      Push gift idea ready for mother (i.e. flowers, chocolate, card), and/or sibling gift 

·      Healthy Snacks: Trail mix, cliff bars, Jerky, chocolate. (usually moms are unable to eat during labor)

·      Pillow, throw blanket, eye mask/earplugs

·      Clothes: Shirt and sweatpants, sweater, comfy socks (3x), slippers

·      Going home outfit for dad

 

For Baby

·      Pacifier clip

·      2-3x cute soft swaddle blankets (To take pictures in)

·      Going home newborn outfit for baby (i.e. a preemie/NB onesie, hat, mittens, socks)

·      Car seat and base already installed in the car

·      Blanket to cover car seat

·      Optional: Stuffed soft toy animal, letter board for announcement, a nice stationary you want your baby’s footprint on. Also, don't forget to schedule a date for your newborn photography (~ 7-14 days after birth). 

o   FYI: Hospitals usually provide the baby receiving blankets, white swaddle shirts, hats, diapers, butt cream, nasal aspirators, pacifiers, baby formula, breast feeding supplies etc. Request to take some home with you as well.

For Mom: Postpartum Recovery Kit (for that ~1 ½ months of bleeding and healing that take place postpartum)

·      Mesh adult diapers (~12-24x)

·      Large winged maxi pads (~20-40x)

·      Perineal ice packs (used for ~1-2wks after birth, you can also make your own DIY padsicles)

·      Pain relief (i.e ibuprofen, alcohol free witch hazel, dermoplast spray, Aloe Vera Tuck wipes)

·      Stool softeners/laxatives (i.e. Miralax, Milk of Magnesia, Colace, fiber gummies)

·      Two nipple cooling gel pads

·      Soft adjustable postpartum belly band (used for ~2-4 months after birth)

·      Optional: Inflatable donut, toilet sitz bath, a cute basket to put everything in.

o   FYI: Hospitals usually provide the mesh adult diapers, large heavy winged pads, Dermoplast, Aloe vera tucks wipes, and Peri bottles. Request to take some home with you as well.

 

 

What essentials do you have in your hospital bag and postpartum recovery kit? 

 

Photo source: www.lily-jade.com; lovelymomhood.com

#hospitalbag #postartumessentials #pregnancy #babyessentials #thirdtrimester #Healthystrongbeautiful  #HSBvibes #HSB #thrive #optimism #lifeperspective #awareness #healthpromotion #diseaseprevention #wholistichealth #healthyliving #nurseselfcare #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #spiritualhealth #Healthandfitness #healthcoach #wellnesscoach #lifestylecoach #healthandwellness #selfcare #takingcareofyourself

Baby Nursery Essentials

As you go through a myriad of emotions of finding out you are pregnant, shock, disbelief, excitement, finding out your due date, worrying about how things will go, then excitement again…you eventually arrive to the “nesting” phase. At this phase, you start thinking about preparing your home for your newborns arrival. Commonly, this phase kicks in around 20 weeks, which is around the time you have your ultrasound to find the sex of your baby. 

Here are some baby nursery essentials to think of having on hand as you prepare a safe nurturing space for your baby to sleep, feed, change, play, travel, and develop. 

Baby sleeps: Babies usually wake up every 2 hours, and then start sleeping through the night after ~ 4-6mo.

 

·      Crib (with waterproof mattress cover, fitted crib sheets, and Crib bumper)

o   Baby dock (with removable zipper cloth, used at 0-8mo., can also be used to help teach baby to sit on tummy)

o   Bassinet (with rollers & storage space on the bottom for changing essentials; used at ~3-4mo.)

·      Swing/rocking chair, or bouncer chair (used until ~6mo.)

·      Dimmable bedside night lamp (plug in, touch, or floor lamp)

·      Black out curtains

 

Baby Feeds: Babies usually feed every 2-3hrs for the first couple of months, and then transition to solid foods ~ 6mo when they usually start teething.

 

·      Rocking Nursery chair

o   Breast Milk Pumper (You can request to get one from your insurance/hospital)

o   Nursing pads (used at 0-3mo.)

o   All-natural Nipple cream/butter (Unscented, and free of additives, preservatives, pesticides)

·      Nursing pillow (With removable zipper cloth, can also be used to help teach baby to sit)

o   Burp cloth (Medium sized to put on shoulders to help burp baby).

·      4 Pacifiers (Avent soothie)

o   Pacifier catcher

·      Bottle (with a slow- flow nipple to help prevent overfeeding and an upset stomach)

·      High chair, or Infant chair with feeding tray (used at 6-24mo.)

o   Baby bibs

 

Baby changes and hygiene:  Babies are usually able to be toilet trained, and stop using diapers after 18 mo.

 

·      Diaper backpack/bag, or caddy (Something portable you can take in the car, and/or store under the stroller, or bassinet).

o   Diapers (newborn size needed for only the first 2 weeks)

o   Diaper rash ointment (A & D, Aquaphor)

o   Diaper pail with lid

o   Diaper bags

·      Wet wipes

·      Bath support 

o   Baby nail clippers

o   Unscented Castile liquid soap

·      Teething ring

o   Ora jel, soft finger slip tooth brush (used at 6-36 mo.)

·      First aid kit

o   Tools: Infant thermometer, medicine syringe, band aids, gauze pads/cotton balls.

o   Pain killers: Infant liquid Tylenol/Motrin, pain spray.

o   Decongestants: Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator, saline nasal drops

o   Stomach upset: Gripe Water/Simethicone baby gas drops, miralax, antidiarrheal, electrolyte powder

o   Other: Hand sanitizer, wound cleanser, antibiotic cream (Neosporin)

 

Baby Wears:  Since your baby will outgrow their clothes quickly, get 3-5 pieces per stage, and more clothes for 6m +.

 

·      Clothes 

o   5 Short sleeved onseies (plain white, or patterned, organic cotton)

o   5 Long sleeved onseies (plain white, or patterned, organic cotton)

o   5 Sleepers (with zippers and footies)

o   Footed pants

o   Hat/bonnet

o    Cotton tights

·      8-10 stretch Muslin swaddle blankets (used to wrap baby, or as a nursing cover)

·      Wardrobe dividers 

 

Baby Travels: After a couple weeks inside, you and baby will want to go outside to change things up a bit.

 

·      Stroller

·      Car seat (that can attach to the stroller as well)  

o   1 nice heavy blanket to put over car seat/stroller.

·      Baby wrap (0-24 mo) or Baby carrier (3-36mo)

 

Baby Plays & Develops: Playing is a good way to bond with your baby, and encourages healthy child development. Consider getting baskets to store the toys in a way that is accessible to the child.

 

·      Sight

o   Books (Get black & white books for 0-3mo.)

o   Brightly colored, or geometrically woven cotton rug

o   Slow moving mobile that allow you to switch out the toys

o   Mirror

·      Sound

o   Bluetooth speaker (play soothing white noise, piano music, or nursery songs)

o   Rattle

·      Smell

o   Potted lavender/Jasmine plant.

o   Baby safe essential oil

·      Taste

o   Teething ring

·      Touch

o   Play mat (with removable/interchangeable hanging toys)

o   Massage oil

o   Sheepskin rug

o   Things they can feel of different texture, color, size, and weight.

 

 

Above all... just remember, your baby will need your presence, attention, and awareness more than any of the stuff you can buy. 

What baby essentials do you find helpful? 

 

 

 

Photo source: newtonbaby.com

#pregnancy #babyessentials #babynursery #secondtrimester #Healthystrongbeautiful  #HSBvibes #HSB #thrive #optimism #lifeperspective #awareness #healthpromotion #diseaseprevention #wholistichealth #healthyliving #nurseselfcare #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #spiritualhealth #Healthandfitness #healthcoach #wellnesscoach #lifestylecoach #healthandwellness #selfcare #takingcareofyourself